Pool or no pool in Dallas? (Keller: how much, houses, maintenance)

[needsomeinfo]

we ruled out a pool strictly on a cost basis. our real estate agent told us a pool would be about $100/month to maintain. that ended the discussion.

[nsumner]

If you decide to get a pool, make sure that you have a gameroom or play area inside for those days or in winter that they can't use the pool.

Naima

[lh_newbie]

Originally Posted by needsomeinfo

we ruled out a pool strictly on a cost basis. our real estate agent told us a pool would be about $100/month to maintain. that ended the discussion.

Our neighbor's pool costs us about a 12-pack a month.

[rosscountry]

if you do a pool make sure you are putting in one yourself or at least know all of the details regarding the technology in the pool.
I know some folks that bought a house b/c of a pool and they didn't know the technology in the hot tub automatically turns the heater on and they can't stop it.
Their bill because of this sky rockets to over $800 bucks a month so they don't even use the thing any more..
what is the point of having something if you can't use it.

[jeffari-al-texani]

Originally Posted by Lakewooder

Please go into more detail on the 220 schools in DISD.

You like banging your head into walls, don't ya?

You can't convince most people in the 'burbs that there is some quality education to be had in the DISD. Just like they can't seem to remember that the DISD does not encompass the ENTIRE city of Dallas.

It's easier for them to just make sweeping generalizations and lump everything together (of course, these are probably the same people that get their knickers in a twist when we dare to point out the shortcomings of places like Frisco or Plano).

Oh well...

Heck, I just found out this morning that we appear to have some little hoodlums at Sunnyvale Middle School...

[Macbeth2003]

Originally Posted by austinnetx

No one regrets getting a pool.

See my experience is just the opposite, most people I know who moved to Dallas and bought homes with pools regret it after a few years. My Parents for example. Most people including my family, that I have known say they use it like crazy the first year, quite a bit the second, and gradually less and less. The monthly cost in water, plus occasional repair on the heater and pump are much more money than they feel the usage they get is worth.

My parents are currently looking into having the pool removed so they can have a yard again.

[FarNorthDallas]

I know more who regret the pool in the long-term, also (unless they are just "pool people"). Pools have to have major overhauls after a certain number of years or else they need to be dug out (which is about $8,000). I have 4 neighbors that have had pools removed that were built in the 1970s, another neighbor went for the $25,000 remodel/fix on their pool, another with a newer pool had to replace all the tile after 6 years due to soil shifting. Kids actually lose interest in pools a bit when they are teenagers, too.

I *think* I am more of a pool person, but have never lived in a house with a pool. I LOVE going to public pools and water parks, but can't any longer get my teenage son to go with me anymore. I can count on one hand how many times he has been swimming this summer and every single one of his friends has a pool and I always offer to take him and his friends to a public one. They just don't want to do the pool thing anymore.

[Macbeth2003]

Originally Posted by FarNorthDallas

Kids actually lose interest in pools a bit when they are teenagers, too.

Even if they don
t loose interest in swimming, it becomes more of a social thing. I had a pool as a teenager, most of my friends did too. We still ended up at the public pool where we could hang out, be away from parents and younger siblings etc.

[Rakin]

I'm about to go for a run this evening. When I get home all hot and sweaty, I'll grab a margarita, strip off my clothes and jump into my nice private pool.

Sunday we'll BBQ on the patio as we lounge by the pool soaking up the rays.

That's what makes it all worthwhile.

[PlanoGirl]

Considering finding a neighborhood with a community pool...get all the benefits without the responsibility, and still get to keep your yard.....plus its a great place to meet your neighbors. Even where there is no neighborhood pool...there is often a private pool that you can become a member at nearby. I know in Plano, I pay a 69 dollar/ year membership to have access to all Plano recs (which include all pools and workout facilities). There is probably something comparable where you are looking.